Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02356501 2004-05-10
CHILD ACTIVITY DEVICE
The invention relates
broadly to a child supporting activity device and more specifically, the
invention relates to a child
supporting activity device for entertaining and promoting activity in a young
child.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many types of child activity and/or entertainment devices available
today. Such
devices include, e.g., bouncer seats, exercisers and jumpers, each of which
being designed for
providing a comfortable and secure environment for the child, as well as a
source for entertaining
or promoting activity in the child. Bouncer seats are referred to as such
because the child has the
ability to bounce or jump when sitting in the seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,246 to Meeker discloses a seat, referred to as a child
exerciser/rocker,
that includes an upper tray area defining a circular opening for receiving and
rotatably supporting
a seat. The tray and seat are suspended at each of three locations by a spring
extending from a
1 S post that is supported at its lower end by a tower extending upwards from
a base structure. One
notable drawback in Meeker's exerciser/rocker seat, and other child seats of
this design, is that
the seats are rather bulky. A seat and activity area that provides a child
with freedom to move or
spin around as well as providing a variety entertainment activities, such as
Meeker, brings about
an end product that is rather bulky, not easily stored and difficult to
transport.
One approach for providing a collapsible seat is described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,688,211 to
Myers. Myers describes a child exerciser device including a seat, tray and leg
assembly
detachable from a base member. Myers's child exerciser includes a detachable
assembly and a
pivot connection between the leg and tray so that the child exerciser may be
collapsed for storage
2
CA 02356501 2001-08-31
and/or transport. The collapsed configuration is achieved by removing the legs
from the base
member, rotating the legs under the tray and then placing the tray, seat and
legs inside the base
member. There are several aspects of the Myers exerciser which are
undesirable, some of which
include the limited activity area provided for the child, the requirement that
a user must
physically separate the base member from the legs, seat and tray in order to
collapse the
exerciser, and the approach for collapsing the device does not significantly
reduce the space
occupied by the exerciser for storage purposes, nor provide for an easily
transportable device.
In view of the above and other related drawbacks and limitations identified in
the known
child activity devices, there is a need for a child's activity device that can
be easily collapsed into
l0 a stowed configuration without sacrificing entertainment value to the
child; providing freedom of
movement and a relatively large activity area for entertaining and promoting
activity; and yet is
easy to convert into a non-use or stowed configuration for storage and/or
transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
15 The needs identified above are met, and the shortcomings of prior art child
activity
devices designs overcome by the child activity device of the invention. In one
aspect, the
invention provides a portable activity center for entertaining a child. The
activity center is
supported on a support surface and includes a support frame extending
vertically upwards from a
lower end proximate to the support surface and terminating at an upper end,
and a seat supporting
20 portion. A seat is coupled to the seat supporting portion and is able to
rotate about a first axis
relative to the support frame so as to allow a child placed in the seat to
rotate about the first axis.
A coupling assembly secures the seat supporting portion to the support frame
upper end. The
coupling assembly is selectable between a closed position fixing the seat
supporting portion
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relative to the support frame and an open position permitting rotation of the
seat supporting
portion about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The portable
activity center may
further include a support leg extending form the support frame lower end and
being selectively
rotatable about a third axis, substantially parallel to the second axis for
rotation between a use
position and a storage position.
In another aspect of the invention, a child's bouncer includes a frame having
an upper end
and a lower end, and a seat coupled to the frame upper end. A left and right
support leg extend
outwardly from the frame lower end, each of the left and right support legs
including a support
surface engaging end and a frame coupling end rotationally displaceable
relative to the frame. A
l0 biasing member is coupled to each of the left and right support legs and
positioned so as to bias
each of the left and right support legs support surface engaging ends inwardly
by rotational
displacement of the left and right support legs frame coupling ends relative
to the frame lower
end.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method for configuring a child's
activity seat
l 5 from a deployed position to a folded position. The child's activity seat
includes a seat coupled to
a tray, a base support having an upper end and a lower end and a support frame
supporting the
activity seat in the deployed position. When the activity seat is configured
in the deployed
position, a first connector fixes the tray to a base support and a second
connector fixes the
support frame to the base support. The method of configuring the activity seat
from the deployed
20 to folded positions includes the steps of releasing the first connector so
as to permit rotational
motion of the seat and tray relative to the base support, and rotating the
seat and tray about a first
axis so as to position the seat and tray from a generally horizontal, deployed
position to a
generally vertically, folded position.
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Another aspect of the invention provides an activity seat for a child
configurable between
a use position and a storage position. The activity seat includes a frame
extending vertically
upwards from a lower end proximate to the support surface and terminating at
an upper end. The
frame lower end includes a lower surface corresponding to a support surface
engaging end for the
activity seat when configured in the storage position. The activity seat
further includes a seat
coupled to the support frame upper end, and a support member having a first
end and a second
end corresponding to a support surface engaging end for the activity seat when
configured in the
use position. A coupling assembly is provided for coupling the support member
to the frame.
The coupling assembly includes a first pivot for configuring the support
member between a use
and a storage configuration, and a biasing means for biasing the frame
upwardly when the
activity seat is configured in the use position.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a foldable activity
center for
entertaining a child. The activity center includes a base support and a base
frame extending
vertically upwards from a lower end proximate to the support surface and
terminating at an upper
I 5 end. The activity center also includes a supporting portion having a
child's seat and an upper
surface generally defining an activity area for a child placed in the seat,
the upper surface
defining a first plane. A coupling assembly secures the supporting portion to
the base upper end.
The coupling assembly is selectable between a closed position fixing the
supporting portion
relative to the base frame and an open position permitting rotation within a
second plane of the
supporting portion relative to the base frame, wherein the second plane is
substantially
perpendicular to the first plane.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a child's activity center
that is specially
adapted for being configurable between a use and storage configuration wherein
the storage
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configuration also provides for easy transport, and yet does not detract from
the desire for
providing the child with freedom of movement and a relatively large activity
area for entertaining
and promoting activity in the child.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a child activity
device that has a
novel support structure for providing bouncing activity for the child.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following
detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further
explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the
invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of~this specification,
illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to
explain the principles of
the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a child activity device constructed in
accordance with
the principles of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the activity device of FIG. 1 showing a tray and seat
configured in
a storage position.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the activity device of FIG. 1 in a storage position.
FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of a connector assembly for connecting the
tray to a
support post of the activity device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a first view of a portion of the connector assembly of FIG. 4
showing a first
view of the support post and a mating housing.
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FIG. 6 is a second view of a portion of the connector assembly of FIG. 4
showing a
second view of the support post and the mating housing.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the support post of the activity device of FIG. 1
with a base cover
removed.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the support post of FIG. 7 with a post cover removed.
FIG. 9 illustrates a base connector assembly connecting a left and right
support tube to a
base of the activity device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the connector assembly of FIG. 9 with the left and
right support
tubes and left and right flange couplings removed.
l 0 FIG. 11 A illustrates a non-use position of the connector assembly of FIG.
9.
FIGS. 11 B-11 C illustrate in-use positions of the connector assembly of FIG.
9.
FIG. 11 D shows a flange coupling of the connector assembly of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a first view of a cover plate of the activity device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 i is a second view of the cover plate of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a seat ring of the activity device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the activity device of FIG. 1 showing
the seat
removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of
the
invention. The child activity device of the invention is preferably
implemented as a child's
entertainer 10, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 1-15.
Referring FIG. 1, entertainer 10 includes a tray 12 and seat 14 supported on
front and rear
support posts 20a, 20b, the lower ends of which being received in a
corresponding front and rear
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base 80a, 80b (rear base 80b is hidden from view in FIC'~. 1 ), and a left and
right support tube 16a,
16b connected to each of the front and rear bases 80a, 80b at front and rear
tube proximal ends
18a, 18b, respectively, and providing a ground engaging support at rearwardly
extending tube
distal ends 17a, 17b, respectively, for entertainer 10 when configured in the
use position. Tray
12 extends about the periphery of seat 14 and includes entertaining toys for
entertaining and
promoting activity in a child placed in seat 14.
A pair of tray connectors 28a, 28b connects tray 12 and seat 14 to an upper
end 21 a of
each of front and rear posts 20a, 20b. Each of tray connectors 28a, 28b
provide selective
coupling of tray 12 and seat 14 to front and rear posts 20a, 20b, selectable
between a fixed tray
use position fixing tray 12 and seat 14 in a horizontal position, FIG. 1, a
tray rotation position
allowing tray 12 and seat 14 to be rotated relative to post 20 for configuring
tray 12 and seat 14
between a use and storage position, and a fixed tray storage position fixing
tray 12 and seat 14
relative to post 20 in a generally vertical orientation, FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 9, support tubes 16a, 16b are connected to front and rear
bases 80a, 80b
at each of their respective front and rear proximal ends 18a, 18b, by a
corresponding left base
connector 82 and right base connector 84 disposed at each of the front and
rear bases 80a, 80b.
Thus, left and right base connectors, 82, 84, are located at each of the front
and rear bases 80a,
80b for connecting the left and right proximal ends 18a, 18b of support tubes
16a, 16b to bases
80a, 80b. The connecting structure associated with each of the front and rear
pairs of base
connectors 82, 84 permits left and right support tubes 16a, 16b to be
positioned between a use or
supporting position, FIGS. 1 and 1 1 B-C.', and a storage position, FIG. 3, by
selecting between a
fixed support tube coupling, FICi. 11 B, and rotatable support tube coupling,
FIG. 11 A. As
explained in greater detail, below, front and rear base connectors 82, 84
preferably couples tubes
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16a, 16b to bases 80a, 80b, by a rotational biasing-type connector so as to
provide bouncing
support of entertainer 10 through tubes 16a, 16b for promoting child activity
and adding
entertainment value to entertainer 10. As will be appreciated, the bouncing
feature may, or may
not be included with the use and storage positioning feature of tubes 16a, 16b
and base
connectors 82, 84. It is therefore considered within the scope of invention to
provide an activity
device with a tube or similar connecting assembly that provides a storable
support frame which
may, or may not also provide a bouncing frame feature.
Tray connector 28 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2-8.
Each of
the tray connectors 28a, 28b located at front and rear locations on
entertainer are identical in
configuration and function in a similar manner. The following discussion will
therefore be
limited to front tray connector 28a, with the understanding that the same
description applies to
rear tray connector 28b, except as noted otherwise. Tray connector 28a
includes a circular tray
housing 70 formed at the front end of tray 12, a circular mating housing 40
sized to mate with
tray housing 70, a spring biased release button 30 for selecting between
storage and use
positions, and a circular housing formed at post upper end 21a sized to
receive mating housing
40 and permitting relative rotational motion between mating housing 40 and
post upper end 21 a
when tray connector 28a is configured to allow rotational motion. Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5,
tray housing 70 includes ribs defining four receiving slots 72 disposed at 90
degree angular
locations within tray housing 70 that are brought into mating contact with
four corresponding
angularly disposed teeth 52 in mating housing 40 for providing added
structural integrity to the
tray 14 to post connection. Preferably, tray housing 70 and mating housing 40
are formed by
separate molding processes and then connected together to provide a reliable
and durable
interface with post upper end 21 a, a rotatable or fixed coupling with upper
end 21 a, and to allow
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spring biased release button 30 to be conveniently positioned between mating
housing 40 and
tray housing 70. Alternatively, mating housing 40 and tray housing 70 can be
integrally formed
with tray 12 by providing suitably strengthened structure in the vicinity of
tray connector 28a, as
would be apparent to the skilled artisan. Holes 36, 38 and 68 are formed in
post upper end 21a,
mating housing 40 and tray housing 70, respectively, for receiving a
connecting bolt 42 for
rotatably coupling upper end 21 a to mating housing 40 and tray housing 70.
Connecting bolt 42
includes a threaded end for securing bolt 42 using a threaded nut 44 that is
received within a
recess 48 of a bearing plate 46.
Referring to the convex outer surface of mating housing 40, FIG. 6, there is
provided a
l0 notched portion defining first and second positioning surfaces 60b, 60a
that are brought into
contact with a corresponding first and second engagement surface 56a, 56b,
respectively, formed
on the concave inner surface of upper end 21 a. When tray 12 and seat 14 are
configured in the
storage position, FIG. 2, first positioning surface 60b bears against first
engagement surface 56b
and when tray 12 and seat 14 are configured in the use position, FIG. 1,
second positioning
surface 60a bears against second engagement surface 56a.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, release button 30 is positioned between mating
housing 40
and tray housing 70 and is biased to extend outwardly from a hole 31 formed in
mating housing
40 and one of a corresponding pair of holes 32 and 34 formed in upper end 21 a
when tray 12 is
placed in the corresponding use position and storage positions. When release
button 30 extends
through hole 32, second positioning surface 60a bears against second
engagement surface 56a
and locks tray 12 and seat 14 in the use position, FIG. 1. When release button
30 extends
through hole 34, first positioning surface 60b bears against first engagement
surface 56b and
locks tray 12 and seat 14 in the storage position, FIG. 2. Release button 30
is biased outwardly
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by placing a compression spring 50 between button 30 and tray housing 70. When
configuring
from the use to the storage position, button 30 is manually depressed so as to
clear button from
hole 32. Once clear, tray 12 and seat 14 are then rotated about bolt 42 until
button 30 extends
through hole 34. When engaged with hole 34, tray 12 and seat 14 are locked in
a storage
configuration until button 30 is again depressed to clear button 30 from hole
34 to permit rotation
of tray 12 and seat 14 into the use position where button 30 extends through
hole 32.
Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the height of tray 12 and seat 14 are preferably
adjustable by
selective vertical positioning of post 20 relative to base 80. Post 20 is
fixable at a designated
height location by engagement of a spring biased height adjuster button 120
that is mounted in
post 20 and extends outwardly through a positioning aperture 122 formed on a
base front end 22
corresponding to a pre-designated tray height, as illustrated in FIG. 7
(ribbed base cover
removed). Preferably, three positioning apertures are formed on base front end
22 corresponding
to three height locations. Post 20 is slidingly coupled to base 80 and
releasably fixed at a
selected height when height adjuster button 120 is engaged with a
corresponding aperture 122.
'To adjust the height setting, height adjuster button 120 is pressed inwardly
so as to clear button
122 from base front end 22. When height adjuster button 120 is depressed, post
20 may freely
slide in base 80 until height adjuster button 120 expands into a selected
aperture 122, post 20
contacts bottom of base 80, or adjustment stops 124 sliding in grooves 126
contact the top of
grooves 126. Height adjuster button 120 is mounted in post 20 by a plate 64
secured to post 20
by fasteners 62, FIG. 6.
Support tubes 16a, 16b, and base connectors 82, 84 connecting support tubes 16
to bases
80a, 80b will now be described in detail by reference to FIGS. 9-13. Left and
right support tubes
16a, 16b provide stability to entertainer 10 when in use, a supporting
structure for permitting
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bouncing motion and are coupled to bases 80a, 80b so as to permit
repositioning of tubes 16a,
16b between use and storage positions. Each of left and right support tubes
16a, 16b are
identical. Tube 16a is preferably a L1-shaped metal tube with front and rear
proximal ends 18a
connecting tube 16a to front and rear bases 80a, 80b, respectively, and a
rearwardly extending
distal end 17a including rubber floor grips 24 to reduce undesired slippage of
entertainer 10
during use. Tube 16a may alternatively be constructed from a plastic or other
suitable material.
'Tube 16a may also correspond to a front and rear pair of separate legs or
supports extending
outwardly from front and rear bases 80a, 80b since this alternative structure
may also provide the
same functionality that is considered within the scope of the invention.
Base connectors 82 and 84, disposed at each of the front and rear bases 80a,
80b are
identical in their design and function. Reference will therefore be limited to
base connectors 82,
84 of front base 80a, except as noted below, with the understanding that the
same description
applies to base connectors 82, 84 of rear base 80b. Referring to FIG. 9, there
is illustrated the
preferred arrangement of base connectors 82, 84 mounted to base 80a with
proximal ends 18a,
18b of left and right tubes 16a, 16b connected to base connectors 82, 84,
respectively. Each of
base connectors 82, 84 are mirror opposites of each other and provide the same
function with
regard to the various couplings of respective left and right tubes 16a, 16b to
base 80a. Base
connectors 82, 84 each include a flange coupling 83, 85 for coupling tubes
16a, 16b to base 80a
through pivot pins 92, 93 and left and right compression springs 96, 97,
respectively.
Reference will now be limited to right base connector 82 with the
understanding that the
same description applies to left base connector 84, except as noted otherwise.
Referring to FIG.
1 I D, flange coupling 85 includes front and rear side walls 75a, 75b
extending outwardly from a
rear wall 74, a lower lock aperture 91 and an upper lock aperture 89 formed in
the front side wall
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75a for locking tube 16a in a use position, FIG. 11 B, and storage position,
FIG. 9, respectively, a
tube pivot hole 76 bored through the front and rear side walls 75a, 75b for
receiving a rivet 95
passed through the end of tube 16a to provide a fixed, rotatable coupling
between flange 85 and
tube 16a, and a pivot hole 77 bored through the front and rear side walls 75a,
75b for receiving
pivot pin 93 coupling flange coupling 85 to base 80a. Tube 16a includes a hole
spaced away
from the end. The hole (not shown) receives a spring biased button lock 87
disposed within tube
16a that is located so as to extend through each of upper and lower apertures
91, 89, when tube
16a is positioned in a use position, FIG. 11 B, and storage position, FIG. 9,
respectively.
Preferably, button lock 87 is a spring biased button sold under the trademark
"VALCO", which
includes a rounded end that biases outwardly from the hole formed in tube 16a.
Referring now to base connectors 82 and 84 with respective proximal ends 18a,
18b of
tubes 16a, 16b configured in the use position corresponding to button locks
86, 87 extending
through lower lock apertures 90, 91, FIGS. l, 2 and 11B, tubes 16a and 16b are
orientated to
extend downwardly from base 80a so as to suspend base 80a, post 20, tray 12
and seat 14 above
l5 the support surface. In this configuration, entertainer 10 is supported on
tube distal ends 17a,
17b. Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 B-C, flange couplings 83, 85 are coupled to
base 80a by pins 92,
93 and springs 96, 97 to provide a bouncing motion of the upper frame portion
(i.e., base 80a,
post 20, tray 12 and seat 14). Springs 96, 97 are positioned to push against
respective flange
couplings 83, 85 at end walls 73, 74 and a flange plate 98 of base 80a.
Springs 96, 97 are each
offset from pivot pins 93, 92 so as to impart a counterclockwise and clockwise
biasing rotation to
flange couplings 85 and 83 and tubes 16a, 16b, respectively, about base 80a to
produce a vertical
bouncing motion, as illustrated by the arrows B in FIG. 1 I C. Bumpers 99a,
99b are attached to
the bases 80 to absorb shock when bases 80 touch the floor.
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Preferably, a pair of horizontally extending compression springs 96, 97 are
offset from
pivots 92, 93 to provide bouncing motion. However, other biasing mechanisms
may be
employed without departing from the scope of invention. Bouncing motion may
alternatively be
provided by a variety of spring biasing means, provided anywhere between the
flange couplings
and base, such as torsion springs, extension springs, elastomeric springs, and
other spring types
which will be familiar to those skilled in the art. Examples include coupling
a torsional spring
between each of flange couplings 83, 85 and base 80a, or a flexible housing
such as a rubber
member or bendable plastic may be formed in or secured to base 80a for
coupling flange
couplings 83, 85 and tubes 16a, 16b to base 80a. As will be readily understood
by the skilled
artisan, each of these alternative embodiments are capable of providing a
rotational bias between
tubes 16a, 16b and base 80a for bouncing motion.
Referring to FIGS 12 and 13, a base cover 102 is used to hold base connectors
82, 84 in
base 80a. Base cover 102 is secured to base 80a by fasteners 110, through
holes 108. Base cover
102 includes pivot holders 106, 107 for maintaining pivot pins 92, 93 in
proper alignment in base
80a. Depressible button releases 112, 113 are mounted on base cover 102 to
allow a user to re-
position tubes 16a, 16b from a use position to a storage position. Button
releases 112, 113 are
attached to contact pads 104, 105 with fasteners 114, 115 and positioned
adjacent to lower lock
apertures 90, 91 to allow a user to push button locks 86, 87 inwardly so as to
clear button locks
86, 87 from lower lock apertures 90, 91. Once clear of lower lock apertures
90, 91, tubes 16a,
16b may be rotated in relation to their respective flange couplings, 85, 83.
Tubes 16a, 16b are
rotatable about pivots 94, 95 when released from lower button lock apertures
90, 91. Upper lock
apertures 88, 89 are slightly undersized to cause button locks 86, 87 to only
partially extend
through lock apertures 88, 89, thereby creating a partial locking condition
for tubes 16a, 16b in
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the storage position which may be overcome by the user without providing
corresponding upper
button releases.
Referring to a non-use position of tubes 16a, 16b, FIG. 1 lA, a left and right
safety spring
101, 100 is preferably positioned against tube proximal ends I 8a, I 8b to
deter a user from
placing a child in entertainer 10 without properly engaging button locks 86,
87 in lower button
lock apertures 90, 91. Safety springs 100, 101 are preferably torsional
springs disposed between
base 80a and tube proximal ends 18b, 18a. Thus, safety springs 100, 101 bias
tubes 16b, 16a
away from a use position until a user manually overcomes the spring force to
position tubes 16a,
16b in the downwardly extending, use position (as indicated by arrows A in
FIG. 11A), thereby
allowing button locks 86, 87 to properly extend through lock apertures 90, 91
to lock tubes 16a,
16b in the use position.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 14-15, seat 14 includes a seat ring 130 attached to a
tray race 140 to
allow seat 14 to rotate. Seat ring 130 includes wheels 132 attached to axle
supports 134 located
around the circumference of seat ring 130. A fabric covering 131 is attached
to seat ring 130
using hooks 138 located around the outer periphery of the seat ring 130. Seat
ring 130 is
attached to tray race 140 by placing seat ring 130 over tray race 140 and
pushing down on seat
ring 130 until locking tabs 136 engage in tray 12. Seat 14 rotates freely
around tray race 140, but
may be locked in a stationary position using a locking mechanism (not shown).
Entertainer 10 is configurable between a use and storage position as follows.
Tray 12 and
seat 14 is configured from a use portion , FIG. 1, to a storage position, FIG.
2, by depressing
release button 30 located at each of the front and rear tray connectors 28a,
28b and rotating tray
12 and seat 14 through an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the use
position to the storage
position, which corresponds to tray 12 and seat 14 extending in a generally
vertical orientation.
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When positioned in the vertical orientation, button 30 will aLitomatically
release into hole 34,
thereby locking tray 12 and seat 14 in the generally vertical position. Tubes
16a, 16b may then
be configured in their storage position by depressing button lock releases
104, 105 located on
each of the front and rear bases 80a, 80b so as to allow tubes 16a, 16b to
rotate. Tubes 16a, 16b
are then rotated upwards through an angle of approximately 90 degrees until
tubes 16a, 16b
partially lock in upper lock apertures. When positioned in the storage
configuration, entertainer
can then be supported on base 80 and is furthermore self standing, FIG. 3. The
position of
tube distal ends 17a, 17b adjacent to tray 12 also provides a convenient hand
hold for
transporting entertainer 10.
10 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications
and variations can
be made in the child activity chair of the present invention without departing
from the spirit or
scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover
the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the
appended claims and
their equivalents.
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